The Most Popular Ornamental Tree, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the ornamental tree you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 30, 2024 06:45
In neighborhoods, parks, and landscapes around the world, ornamental trees add beauty and character. They serve not merely as decoration but also enhance our environment, making spaces more inviting and livable. However, choosing the right type for your area can be challenging given the variety of shapes, sizes, and colors they come in.
This interactive hub allows you to see which ornamental trees are favored by others and also share your own preferences. By voting, you contribute to a dynamic tally that helps everyone from amateur gardeners to professional landscapers decide which trees might suit their projects best. Your input ensures that the most admired varieties receive the recognition they deserve.
What Is the Most Popular Ornamental Tree?
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155votes
W. Bulach · CC BY-SA 4.0Known for its beautiful pink blossoms, the Japanese Cherry Blossom Tree is a popular ornamental tree all over the world. It is also a symbol of the arrival of spring in Japan.The Japanese Cherry Blossom Tree, also known as Sakura, is a popular ornamental tree native to Japan. It is widely recognized for its stunning display of pink or white blossoms, which attract millions of visitors from around the world during the cherry blossom season. The tree carries immense cultural significance in Japan, symbolizing the fleeting nature of life and the beauty of nature's cycles.- Scientific name: Prunus serrulata
- Family: Rosaceae
- Height: Up to 40 feet (12 meters)
- Blossom time: Late March to early April
- Flower color: Various shades of pink and white
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240votes
Franz Eugen Köhler, Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen · Public domainThe Dogwood Tree is a popular ornamental tree known for its beautiful flowers that bloom in the spring. It is also known for its bright red berries in the fall.The Dogwood tree is a stunning flowering tree that belongs to the Cornaceae family. It is renowned for its delicate beauty and abundant blossoms.- Scientific name: Cornus florida
- Native to: Eastern United States
- Average height: 15-30 feet
- Blossom time: Late spring to early summer
- Flower color: White or pink (rarely yellow)
Dogwood Tree in other rankings- Position 3 of 10 in Most beautiful fruit tree
- Position 7 of 10 in Most popular tree
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324votesThe Magnolia Tree is a beautiful ornamental tree that is known for its large, fragrant flowers. It is also known for its glossy, evergreen foliage.The Magnolia Tree is an exquisite flowering tree known for its stunning blossoms and graceful appearance. With its large, fragrant flowers and glossy green foliage, it is considered one of the most beautiful trees in the world.
- Scientific Name: Magnolia
- Family: Magnoliaceae
- Native to: Asia, North and South America
- Height: Up to 80 feet (24 meters)
- Blossom Size: Up to 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter
Magnolia Tree in other rankings- Position 4 of 10 in Most beautiful fruit tree
- Position 10 of 10 in Most popular tree
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412votes
Bradford Pear Tree
Dr. John L. CreechThe Bradford Pear Tree is a popular ornamental tree known for its beautiful white flowers in the spring. It is also known for its beautiful fall foliage.The Bradford Pear Tree is a widely popular ornamental tree known for its striking beauty and vibrant display throughout the year. This deciduous tree is medium-sized, reaching a height of about 30 to 50 feet with a spread of around 20 to 30 feet. It has a pyramidal shape when young, gradually maturing into a more rounded crown. The leaves of the Bradford Pear are glossy green during spring and summer, turning brilliant shades of red, orange, and purple in the fall. In early spring, the tree showcases abundant clusters of small, white flowers with a delightful fragrance. The majestic tree was created by the horticulturist Dr. John L. Creech in 1963 as a cultivar of the Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana).- Height: 30 to 50 feet
- Spread: 20 to 30 feet
- Shape: Pyramidal when young, rounded crown when mature
- Leaf Color: Glossy green in spring and summer, red, orange, purple in fall
- Flower Color: White
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513votesThe Redbud Tree is a beautiful ornamental tree that is known for its beautiful pink flowers that bloom in the spring. It is also known for its beautiful heart-shaped leaves.The Redbud Tree is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree known for its stunning display of pink to purple flowers that blossom in early spring. Its graceful, multi-branched form and heart-shaped leaves add to its visual appeal.
- Scientific Name: Cercis canadensis
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native Range: Eastern and central North America
- Mature Height: Up to 30-40 feet (9-12 meters)
- Mature Spread: Approximately 25-35 feet (7.5-10.5 meters)
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617votesThe Crape Myrtle Tree is a beautiful ornamental tree that is known for its beautiful pink, purple, and white flowers that bloom in the summer. It is also known for its beautiful fall foliage.The Crape Myrtle tree (Lagerstroemia indica) is a popular ornamental tree known for its vibrant and long-lasting summer blooms. It is native to East Asia and has gained immense popularity in gardens and landscapes around the world. The tree is characterized by its smooth bark, colorful flowers, and beautiful foliage that turns vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow in the fall.
- Scientific Name: Lagerstroemia indica
- Family: Lythraceae
- Height: Up to 30 feet
- Spread: Up to 25 feet
- Bloom Time: Summer to early fall
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72votes
Weeping Cherry Tree
Mr. Seisaku FunatsuThe Weeping Cherry Tree is a beautiful ornamental tree that is known for its beautiful pink flowers that bloom in the spring. It is also known for its weeping branches.The Weeping Cherry Tree is a highly regarded ornamental tree celebrated for its graceful weeping branches and abundant blossoms. It is a cultivar of the Prunus genus, specifically the Prunus subhirtella species, and belongs to the Rosaceae family. This tree is cherished for its delicate beauty and is commonly found in parks, gardens, and landscapes.- Height: Typically reaches 20 to 30 feet (6 to 9 meters)
- Spread: Has a spread of 15 to 25 feet (4.5 to 7.5 meters)
- Shape: Graceful weeping habit with cascading branches
- Foliage: Thin, alternate leaves with serrated edges and dark green color
- Flowers: Produces profuse clusters of pink or white blossoms in spring
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89votesThe Ginkgo Tree is a beautiful ornamental tree that is known for its beautiful fan-shaped leaves. It is also known for its beautiful yellow foliage in the fall.The Ginkgo Tree, also known as Ginkgo biloba, is a popular ornamental tree revered for its unique shape and distinct fan-shaped leaves. It is one of the oldest living tree species on earth, dating back over 270 million years. With a distinct golden-yellow fall foliage color, it provides a stunning display in autumn. The Ginkgo Tree is often planted in parks, gardens, and along streets for its aesthetic appeal and tolerance to urban conditions.
- Scientific Name: Ginkgo biloba
- Family: Ginkgoaceae
- Origin: China
- Height: Up to 80 feet (24 meters)
- Width: Up to 40 feet (12 meters)
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97votesThe Eastern Red Cedar Tree is a beautiful ornamental tree that is known for its beautiful blue berries that bloom in the winter. It is also known for its beautiful evergreen foliage.The Eastern Red Cedar Tree (Juniperus virginiana) is a popular evergreen ornamental tree known for its versatile nature and attractive appearance. It is native to eastern North America and is commonly found in landscapes, gardens, and parks.
- Height: Up to 40-50 feet (12-15 meters)
- Spread: 15-20 feet (4.5-6 meters)
- Shape: Pyramidal when young, becoming more columnar or irregular with age
- Foliage: Evergreen, dense, feathery, and scale-like needles
- Color: Dark green to bluish-green
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105votes
Ftlombardo · CC BY 3.0The Red Maple Tree is a beautiful ornamental tree that is known for its beautiful red foliage in the fall. It is also known for its beautiful red flowers that bloom in the spring.The Red Maple Tree, scientifically known as Acer rubrum, is a deciduous tree native to eastern and central North America. It is one of the most popular ornamental trees due to its vibrant red foliage in the fall, attractive shape, and adaptability to various soils and climates.- Species: Acer rubrum
- Height: 40 to 70 feet
- Spread: 30 to 50 feet
- Foliage Color: Green (Spring/Summer), Red (Fall)
- Bloom Time: Early Spring
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Ranking factors for popular ornamental tree
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Aesthetic appealThe tree should have an attractive appearance, including attributes such as an interesting shape, beautiful foliage, attractive bark, or showy flowers or fruit.
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Size and growth rateThe tree should be a suitable size for the intended space, and its growth rate should be manageable for the location.
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Hardiness and adaptabilityThe tree should be able to thrive in the local climate and soil conditions, and be able to tolerate common pests and diseases.
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Maintenance requirementsThe tree should not require excessive pruning, watering, or other maintenance to keep it looking good and growing well.
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Seasonal interestThe tree should provide visual interest throughout the year, whether through foliage, flowers, fruit, or bark.
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Environmental benefitsThe tree should provide ecosystem services such as shade, air purification, and habitat for wildlife.
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Availability and costThe tree should be readily available for purchase and within the budget of the intended buyer.
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Longevity and structural integrityThe tree should have a long life span and be resistant to storm damage, decay, and other structural issues.
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Non-invasiveThe tree should not have a tendency to spread aggressively or outcompete native plants in the area.
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Cultural significanceThe tree may have historical, cultural, or sentimental value, making it an especially popular choice for certain regions or groups of people.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular ornamental tree. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or ornament is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1463 views
- 183 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each ornament once every 24 hours. The rank of each ornament is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular ornamental tree
Ornamental trees are a great addition to any landscape, offering beauty, shade, and a touch of natural elegance. From flowering trees like dogwoods and magnolias to evergreens like pines and spruces, there are countless options to choose from when it comes to selecting the perfect ornamental tree for your yard.
But which tree is the most popular? This is a question that has sparked much debate among gardeners and landscapers alike. Some argue that the graceful Japanese cherry blossom tree is the most beloved, with its delicate pink blooms that burst forth in early spring. Others contend that the majestic oak tree is the true king of the forest, with its strong, sturdy trunk and sprawling branches that provide ample shade and shelter.
One thing is for certain: no matter which ornamental tree you choose, it is sure to add beauty, value, and character to your outdoor space. So take some time to explore the many options available, and find the perfect tree to suit your personal style and aesthetic preferences.
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